NA3HL announces Bauer Divisional Stars of the Week
The North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) today announced the Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Bauer Hockey for the week ending January 28, 2018. The divisional stars of the week is an award given each week of the regular season to the top performing players in each of the eight divisions of the NA3HL as nominated by their head coaches.
Central Division Star of the Week: Clayton Lackey, Forward, La Crosse Freeze
Clayton Lackey could not be stopped this past weekend as the forward from Scottdale, Arizona lit up the Wisconsin Whalers for seven goals in just two games. He netted three in a 5-3 win on Friday night then came back with four more trips to the red light district on Saturday, a 9-1 victory. Lackey leads the Freeze with 62 points and leads the NA3HL with 40 goals. He finished the weekend with a plus-7 rating as well.
2nd Star: Laudon Poellinger, F, La Crosse Freeze
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Dayton Honkanen, D, North Iowa Bulls – Brendan Studioso, F, North Iowa Bulls
Coastal Division Star of the Week: Ryan Cortez, Goalie, Long Beach Sharks
The 19-year old goaltender for the Long Beach Sharks was the best player on the ice for his team this weekend. In two games against the L/A Nordiques, the native of Norco, California made 111 saves on the weekend. He kept his team in a hard fought 5-4 loss by making 44 saves on Friday night. He followed that effort up by making a season high 67 saves the next day. Cortez finished the weekend with a .917 save percentage.
2nd Star: None
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): None
East Division Star of the Week: Sean Finstrom, Goalie, Lansing Wolves
Once again Sean Finstrom was an absolute wall for the Lansing Wolves. In 145 minutes this weekend, the native of Wixom, Michigan only allowed a single goal. That lone goal came in 31 save performance against the Pittsburgh Vengeance. Two days prior, the Southern Tier Xpress threw 26 shots in Finstrom’s direction, he stopped them all to pick up his fourth shutout of the season. On Saturday, Finstrom entered the game in relief and helped finish a combined shutout with teammate Will Ignatovich. For the week, Finstrom had a 0.41 goals against average and a .986 save percentage.
2nd Star: Andrew Kormos, G, Metro Jets
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Mike Forman, F, Lansing Wolves – Connor Inger, F, Metro Jets – Matthew Kesto, F, Wooster Oilers – Zach Zwierceki, F, Wooster Oilers
Frontier Division Star of the Week: Hayden Seitz, Forward, Helena Bighorns
Playing in his first games since the NA3HL Showcase, the return of Hayden Seitz lived up to the hype as the Helena forward put up big numbers in his return to action. On Friday night, his first game back from breaking his thumb, Seitz scored a goal and notched an assist. The following night, Seitz once again found the back of the net and added two more assists. Seitz had a plus-5 rating for the weekend and was “Just as effective in the defensive zone as he was offensively both nights,” said Helena Head Coach Bob Richards.
2nd Star: Jarrett Scheibel, F, Helena Bighorns
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): None
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Jack Radley, Forward, Peoria Mustangs
Jack Radley’s club had the unusual Monday-Tuesday series with the Point Mallard Ducks, regardless of when the game was played, Radley was ready to go. He notched a hat trick in Monday’s 4-0 win over the Ducks. Two of his three goals came on the power play and he netted the game winner in that game. For the week, he finished with a plus-2 rating.
2nd Star: Dakota Meyer, G, Peoria Mustangs
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Mark Capkovic, D, St. Louis Jr. Blues – Dante Jone, F, St. Louis Jr. Blues
Northeast Division Star of the Week: Ryan Reifler, Forward, Binghamton Junior Senators
The Junior Senators are on roll and Ryan Reifler is a big part of it. On Friday, the Binghamton native scored a goal and had an assist in Binghamton’s win over Oswego. Then against Roc City, the 18-year old found the back of the net again but dished out three assists in another big win. He concluded his weekend with a third goal and an assist in win against Oswego on Sunday. Reifler finished the weekend with an unbelievable plus-13 rating and his goal on Sunday was the game winner.
2nd Star: Eric Vanderhoff, F, Skylands Kings
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Craig Garrigan, F, Skylands Kings – Steven Kozikoski, G, Oswego Stampede – Tim O’Connor, D, Binghamton Junior Senators – Ben White, G, Oswego Stampede
South Division Star of the Week: Regnars Udris, Defense, Point Mallard Ducks
The Point Mallard Ducks, once again had a very busy week, playing for four games in seven days. On Tuesday against Peoria, Udris netted a goal and two assists. After a couple days of rest, the Ducks got right back to it and so did Udris. He potted a pair of power play goals in a 4-2 loss on Saturday to the Mid Cities Jr. Stars. He was even better on Sunday as he scored one more goal and notched two more assists. Udris finished the four games with eight points and now has 31 points on the season.
2nd Star: Carson Murison, G, Texas Brahmas
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Vincent Dekumbis, F, Texas Brahmas – Kyle Konin, G, Atlanta Capitals – Brody Nielsen, F, Atlanta Capitals – Tyler Trombly, F, Point Mallard Ducks
West Division Star of the Week: Ridge Gerads, Goalie, Granite City Lumberjacks
The net minder for Granite City was very good this past weekend for the Lumberjacks as his team won all three games they played. On Wednesday night, Gerads shutout division rival Willmar as he denied all 17 shots the Warhawks put on. Then on Saturday against the high-powered St. Louis Jr. Blues, Gerads was peppered with 42 shots on goal but only allowed two to get by him. The Blaine, Minnesota native finished the week with a .966 save percentage and a 1.00 goals against average.
2nd Star: Brett Meister, F, Alexandria Blizzard
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Braden Altena, F, Granite City Lumberjacks – Alec Skar, D, Alexandria Blizzard